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Miracles of Jesus #12 (Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain

 Miracle #12

The story of Jesus raising the widow's son at Nain is found in Luke 7:11-17.

The Story:

The journey: Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him

The funeral procession: As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow

The crowd: And a large crowd from the town was with her

Jesus's compassion: When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry"

Jesus's action: Then he went up and touched the bier (the coffin or stretcher) they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still

The command: He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

The resurrection: The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother

The people's response: They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people"

The spread of news: This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country

Significance:

  • This is one of only three resurrections Jesus performed (the others: Jairus's daughter and Lazarus)
  • The widow had lost both her husband and now her only son—she was completely destitute
  • In that culture, a widow without sons had no financial support or social standing
  • She faced not only grief but also poverty and vulnerability
  • Jesus took the initiative—no one asked him to raise the son
  • His compassion moved him to action: "his heart went out to her"
  • Touching the coffin made Jesus ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law
  • Yet Jesus was not defiled by death—death was defeated by him
  • The bearers stopped, showing respect or perhaps being compelled by Jesus's authority
  • Jesus spoke directly to the dead man with authority: "I say to you, get up!"
  • The resurrection was immediate and complete—the man sat up and began to talk
  • Jesus "gave him back to his mother"—showing his compassion and restoring her future
  • The people recognized this as a sign of a great prophet (echoing Elijah and Elisha who also raised the dead)
  • They declared "God has come to help his people"—recognizing divine visitation
  • This demonstrated Jesus's power over death itself
  • It foreshadowed his own resurrection

This story powerfully illustrates:

  • Jesus's deep compassion for those who suffer, especially the vulnerable and marginalized
  • His power over death—the ultimate enemy
  • His willingness to break social and religious barriers (touching the coffin, helping a widow)
  • That he acts on his own initiative out of compassion, not just in response to requests
  • His identity as more than a prophet—one who has authority over life and death
  • God's care for widows and the vulnerable
  • That Jesus restores not just life but relationships and futures

The raising of the widow's son at Nain is a profound demonstration of Jesus's authority over death and his tender compassion for those who mourn. It shows that Jesus doesn't just heal the sick—he reverses death itself and restores hope to the hopeless.

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